Obituaries

Fred Campbell, 1927-2017

Fred Rainey Campbell, 90, of Paint Rock, died on Sept. 15, 2017. He was born to Charles and Mary (DeBoice) Fast near Memphis, on Sept. 10, 1927. He and his siblings were later adopted by their step-father, Ned Campbell.

Campbell grew up on a ranch near Paint Rock and was the salutatorian in his high school class, second only to the love of his life, Cora Ellen (Kay) Sims. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1950 and later earned a master’s degree in wool science from the University of Wyoming. He also proudly served his country in the United States Navy and later in the Air Force Reserves.

He began his career as a county extension agent and later worked as the manager of the Sonora Wool & Mohair Company during the peak of the wool and mohair industry. Campbell was also the co-owner and manager of Southwestern Wool & Mohair in Eden, Texas. Throughout his career, he remained focused on raising Rambouillet sheep.

He earned the Wool Excellence Award from the American Sheep Industry Association in 2010 and was inducted into the Texas Heritage Hall of Fame in 2006.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Kay; sister Bess Galt; son Bill and wife Judy; grandchildren Augustus Campbell and wife Jane, Jill Campbell Reed and husband Luke, John Campbell, Steven Campbell and wife Haley and Doug Clark and wife Becky; six great-grandchildren, Evie and Simon Campbell, Sophie and Scarlett Reed and Rollins and Caroline Campbell; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mark Kent, 1962-2017

Mark Kent, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Greenville, S.C.-based Kent Worldwide, died suddenly at the age of 55 on Sept. 24. Kent served as Kentwool’s beloved leader for more than 20 years, and was the fifth generation of Kents to direct the family business. Kentwool flourished under his leadership, and his loss is felt deeply across the entire organization.

Kentwool is the largest worsted wool spinner in the United States and spins millions of pounds each year to supply knitters, sock manufacturers and others.

Kentwool’s broad range of customers includes golfer Bubba Watson, Amtrak and many others. The 173-year-old company is family-owned and known for its nimble response to changes in the textile industry. Kent took over in 1993 when his father, Warren, died unexpectedly.

ASI

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